Students invited to world-first game design jam

The University of Portsmouth is to host what is thought to be a world first – a 48-hour game design jam for students willing to try something completely new.

The jam session is open to all University of Portsmouth students, not just those studying game design, and the aim is to give them an opportunity to practice their design skills and work under pressure to deliver a successful game design pitch to a panel of judges.

The jam is part of a larger programme of events – the games technology hothouse – most of which is open only to students studying game design and is designed to help them prepare for their exams the following month.

The idea for the jam came from computer games technology student Matt Pilbeam, and follows other similar events previously held by the University, but course leader Mark Eyles, believes this jam is the first of its kind.

He said: “We are thrilled to be running this event, I am anticipating a great turnout and I am really excited to see what ideas participants come up with.

“It is about the taking part and developing skills, rather than winning, which is secondary. Experiences like this give students a valuable experience at working under pressure and enable them to create important portfolio pieces.”

The event runs from Monday, April 28 to Wednesday, April 30 in the Eldon building.

What about this is original or the first in the world? I have attended Game Development ‘jams’ hosted by different universities (and other institutions) all over the country. Some of them only a single day, some 48 hours and some longer.

Im excited about this event and all, just seems like it’s a first for Portsmouth University. Not a world first by a long shot.

Peter Howell

April 28, 2014

To clarify the ‘original’ element – yes, the Jam format is well established, but with the end product being a working game. The focus of the Design Jam is to create only a concise design document and accompanying 3-minute pitch. It is aimed at testing, specifically, the design skills of participants rather than their ability to rapidly develop.

Simone Gumtau

April 29, 2014

Where can I direct students to sign up?

Peter Howell

May 13, 2014

Apologies Simone – I have only just seen this question!

If you want to highlight it for students next year, please contact Mark Eyles, the Games Technology course leader.

News in brief

Domestic Desires
September 20

Deborah Sugg Ryan, Professor of Design History and Theory and Associate Dean (Research) in CCI, is giving a talk at the Royal Academy of Arts next month.

Professor Sugg Ryan will be speaking at 'Domestic Desires' which is part of the 'Home Sweet Home' series of events on Monday 16 October. The event takes a closer look at the impact mass media has had on domestic spaces.

Dr Ann Coats will lead a second walk to trace Portsea’s lost heritage on Saturday 23 September from 10.00am to 12.30pm. The walk starts at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Gate on The Hard and finishes at St John the Evangelist RC Cathedral.

Following the Dockyard Wall, the route shall locate the vanished sites of Brickwood’s Brewery, the Daniel Street Chapel, St John’s Church and St John’s RC chapel. Three streets: Marlborough Row, Gloucester Street and Frederick Street were taken into the Dockyard in 1944. What do street names - Queen Street, Bonfire Corner, Prince George Street - tell us about Portsea’s history? Why was North Street a Ropewalk?

The walk is free and open to all. It is part of a University of Portsmouth community engagement project. Book your free ticket here.

Brunel Science Lecture
September 11

Professor Mike Tipton will deliver the Brunel Science Lecture at Portsmouth Grammar School on Wednesday 20 September. Professor Tipton has spent over 35 years researching and advising the military, industry and elite sports people in the areas of thermoregulation, environmental and occupational physiology and survival in the sea. His lecture commences at 7.30 pm in the Bristow Clavell Lecture Theatre, please click here to book your free ticket.

Smart cities research
September 04

Researchers from PBS have given their latest insights into research on smart cities as part of the PERCEIVE project, which aims to explore how much citizens feel European.

Smart cities projects have increased their popularity worldwide since their very first implementation. But how and to what extent have they expanded in the European Union? On which topics they have been focusing on?